Construction workers honored

Submitted by Laura Mickelson

Soka University of America (www.soka.edu) recently honored construction workers from McCarthy Building Companies (www.mccarthy.com ) of Newport Beach and other project team members for their work on the University’s new Performing Arts Center and Academic Facility project in Aliso Viejo, Calif. during an event commemorating placement of the final roof truss.

“We’re delighted to share this historic moment with our students, staff, faculty and community. This is our chance to thank the hundreds of construction workers who have done such a good job that construction is ahead of schedule for our new 1000-seat Performing Arts Center,” said president of Soka University Daniel Y. Habuki.

University officials, local dignitaries and the entire design and construction team attended the event in which they signed the truss before it was lifted by a 300-ton crawler crane and secured to the roof of the Performing Arts Center. Students and visitors on the campus were also able to witness the project milestone from the campus greenbelt which overlooks the construction site.

“Typically, a building tops out when the last structural steel beam is placed,” said McCarthy project manager Nate Ray. “However, the Soka Performing Arts Center has four massive roof trusses which span the width of the performance hall, so it seemed appropriate to celebrate the placement of the final truss. At 16.5 feet tall and 114 feet wide, these trusses are so large that they were delivered at night with a California Highway Patrol escort.”

Junior Steel of Gardena, Calif. is the specialty contractor who conducted the placement of the roof trusses.

McCarthy is serving as general contractor for the $73 million project which began in December 2008 and is approximately 50% complete. The project entails construction of a three-level, 47,836-square-foot Performing Arts Center housing a reception lobby, support spaces and a 1,000 seat auditorium as well as a 48,974-square-foot Academic Building located adjacent to and providing support for the Performing Arts Center. The new four-level academic building will house 11 classrooms, 29 faculty offices, a 150-seat black box theater, four dressing rooms, a rehearsal/dance studio, musician warm-up spaces and other support areas.

Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP of Los Angeles, the new buildings will provide visual continuity with the existing buildings and the Mediterranean hill town design theme of the campus. The Performing Arts Center and Academic Facilities buildings share a loading dock and locker room area which will connect the two buildings.

The project’s design and construction team are pursuing United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for the buildings. In order to

achieve a lofty LEED rating, McCarthy is using sustainable construction methods throughout the project such as minimizing unrecyclable construction waste, maintaining proper indoor air quality and ensuring that the subcontractors install the specified “green” materials. Likewise, the design of these structures incorporates numerous sustainable and energy efficiency solutions. The Performing Arts Center’s “green roof” and sunshade structure surrounding the lobby will use photovoltaic (solar) panels, and a bioswale will help manage storm water runoff. McCarthy is using building materials made from recycled content and that are locally extracted, processed and regionally manufactured. Additionally, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and low emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets and composite wood products will be incorporated in both structures.

“Creation of a world class performing arts venue is exceedingly complicated, from budgeting, to design, and through construction. While we still have a way to go, our project to date is an unqualified success,” said Wayne Buck, Soka University program manager.

Once completed in fall 2010, the new Performing Arts Center will serve the campus and South Orange County as a venue for lectures, assemblies, concerts and theater productions furthering Soka University’s role as a cultural center and place of community gathering. The University is dedicating the new Center in May 2011 as part of the 10th anniversary celebration for Soka University’s Aliso Viejo campus.